What percentage of students in Delaware are proficient in math?
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About 35% of 4th graders and 19% of 8th graders in Delaware were considered proficient in math in 2024, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The NAEP, also known as the Nation's Report Card, assesses 4th and 8th graders' progress in reading and math approximately every two years. Students in public, private, and charter schools are included in NAEP testing.
35%
of Delaware 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024
19%
of Delaware 8th graders were proficient in math in 2024
The NAEP uses a scale of 0-500 points to group 4th and 8th grade students into three achievement levels (basic, proficient, or advanced). "Proficient" is the benchmark used to describe students who demonstrate competency with challenging subject matter. However, NAEP proficiency is not the same as being on "grade level," which is often assessed by other state and district tests. More information on NAEP skill expectations at each grade level is available here.
In 2024, 8% of 4th graders in Delaware were advanced in math and 27% were proficient, which means that about 2 out of 3 (65%) scored at basic or below. Eighty-one percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.
Delaware 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
Delaware 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Delaware 4th graders at a proficient or advanced math level was lower than the US average.
Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Delaware and the US
How has math proficiency changed over time?
From this point onward, “proficiency” includes students who were at or above proficient in math (proficient and advanced students).
Among 4th graders, math proficiency in Delaware was lower than the US in 5 test years (2009, 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Delaware and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency in Delaware was lower than the US in 9 test years (2003, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Delaware and the US.
Delaware 4th graders had a similar level of math proficiency as the US in 6 out of 11 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Delaware and the US, 1992–2024
Math proficiency has also varied over time for students of varying demographics. This is often referred to as the achievement gap.
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Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of math proficiency. This has been the case since 2003.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also had the highest rate of math proficiency in 2024.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also had the highest rate of math proficiency in 2024.
The math proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 3.4 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Delaware, by race/ethnicity, 1992–2024
Does math proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, male students had higher math proficiency than female students in 4th grade (38% and 31%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had similar proficiency compared to male students (17% and 21%, respectively).
How do Delaware students compare to other states in math proficiency?
Delaware had the 11th lowest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Vermont and California. This is 16 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Delaware was fifth lowest in math proficiency.
Delaware is 11th lowest in 4th grade math proficiency and fifth lowest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in math in 2024
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
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USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
